Synonyms of sleuths

sleuths

noun

plural of sleuth

as in detectives

a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons

the popular TV sleuth lives a much more action-packed life than do his real-world counterparts

Synonyms & Similar Words

• detectives
• investigators
• operatives
• gumshoes
• private investigators
• dicks
• private detectives
• sleuthhounds
• private eyes
• sherlocks
• trackers
• shadows
• hawkshaws
• tracers
• shamuses
• feds
• plainclothesmen
• tails
• narcs
• G-men
• Federals

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sleuths

The case also set off an online frenzy, with internet sleuths scrutinizing the early reports about Wells’s death and launching into speculation. — Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026

Patrick testified and found himself at the center of an online swarm of sleuths and influencers dissecting every detail of the case, developing theories that portray him as uncaring, unfaithful and even the murderer of his children. — Ross Douthat, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

Online sleuths and true-crime commentators following the broadcast trial had peddled conspiracy theories that Patrick Clancy actually killed the children and framed his wife. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2026

As public support for Clancy grew by the day, online sleuths went to work challenging the prosecution’s narrative, closely scrutinizing witnesses and criticizing authorities for not investigating certain details more aggressively. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2026

Just days later, Kelce was photographed traveling with the same dog, and online sleuths quickly connected the pup to an April 2026 video clip of a similar dog jumping into one of Swift’s cars. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 1 Sep. 2026

Amateur sleuths, armchair lawyers and influencers have turned the soon-to-conclude trial into snackable, whodunit content, dissecting every detail and advancing their own theories across TikTok and other social platforms. — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Internet sleuths accused him of trying to improve his lie in the rough, similar to allegations against Bryson DeChambeau at the British Open last month. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Entertainment industry deaths Internet would-be sleuths have popped up in Zach’s Hickerson’s comments on social media this week. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026